Oamenii isi petrec in jur de 90 la suta din viata in interior, ne informeazaAgentia de Protectie a

Mediului. Din pacate, calitateaaerului din interior este, uneori, de douapanala cinci ori mai
poluatdecataerulexterior. Calitateascazutaaaerului din casasibiroupoateduce la dezvoltareaunorconditii de
sanatate, precumSindromulCladirilorNesanatoase. Calitateaaerului din interiorpoate fi
imbunatatitaprinmetodenaturale de purificareaaerului, cum ar fi
utilizareaplantelorsicristalelorcapurificatoare.
Calitateaaerului din casa
Multi factoripotcontribui la calitateaaerului din casa. Oameniicarefumeaza in interior,
folosireaproduselorcusubstantechimicesipermitereaacumulariiumiditatii, daunastere la mucegai,
reducandastfelcalitateaaerului. Produselechimice din vopsea, produsele de curatare de
uzcasnicsidetergentii, cauzeazapoluareainterioaraatuncicand se evapora. Alergenii,
germeniisigazeletoxice, cum ar fi formaldehida, intra in casa din afarasausunttransportateinauntru,
lucrucecreeaza o nevoie de purificareaaerului.
Top 5 plantepentrucuratareaaerului
Planteleabsorb dioxidul de carbonsiemitoxigencurat. Uneleplante, de asemenea, purificaaerul. NASA
aefectuat un studiupentru a determinacele mai buneplante de purificare a aerului. Documentul de
cercetare a declaratca "plantele de interiorpotpurificasiintretineaerul in caselenoastresilocurile de muncasi
ne protejeaza pe toti de oriceefecteadverseasociatecutoxinelepredominante, cum ar fi formaldehida,
amoniacul, benzenul."
Primele cinci plantepentrupurificareaaerului in functie de studiuinclud:

Incluzandacesteplante in jurulcasei, aerulva fi mai curatdarsidecorul mai natural. Cutoateacestea,

plantelenuvaajutasascapati de prafsaupolen.
Lampicucristal de sarepentrupurificareaerului
Produselecucristal de sareajuta la reducereairitantilor, alergenilorsiagentilorpatogeni din aer, cum ar fi
ciupercilesibacteriile. Lampilecucristal de sareconstadintr-o structura de sarecristalizata, cu un
interiorluminos. Lumanarilecucristale de saresunt, de asemenea, disponibile.

Sareaatragenatural apa. Lampacucristal de saretragevaporii de apa din aer,

ceeaceinseamnacaatragelucruri, cum ar fi polenul, carepluteste in jur. Candvaporii de apa
sipolenullovescstructura de cristal, sareadizolvavaporii.
Lampilepurificaaeruluichiarsiatuncicandnusuntpornite.
Produselecucristale de saresunt in generalmici, darsuntvandute in diversedimensiunipentru a se
potrividiferitelorzone de interior.
Ventilareapentru o bunacalitateaaerului in casa
O altastrategieimportantapentru a purificaaerul este o ventilatiecorespunzatoare. Deschidereaferestrelor,
adaugandventilatoarele de evacuaresiinstalareasistemelor de evacuarevaajutasaevacuatiaerulpoluant din
interior.
Ventilareauneicase, de asemenea, reducenivelul de umiditate. Prea multa umiditatecontribuie la mucegai,
o problemamajorapentrucalitateaaerului din interior.

Riscurileuneicalitatislabeaaerului din interior

Calitateascazuta a aerului din casapoateduce la probleme de sanatate. Alergenii, cum ar fi
polenulsaupraful, potprovocareactiialergiceneplacute. Fumul de tigaraduce la
complicatiigravesipotentialletale, chiarsipentruceicarefumeaza pasiv.
Gazeletoxice, cum ar fi formaldehidapoateduce la o serie de probleme. Formaldehida este o
substantacancerigena, care se gaseste in adezivi, insecticide, covoaresimateriale din lemn din casasau la
birou. Se afla de asemeneasi in fumul de tigara. Formaldehidapoateprovocaeruptiicutanate, tusesiiritatii
in gat, nassiochi. Persoanelecuastmsuntdeosebit de sensibile la formaldehida.
Imbunatatireacalitatiiaerului din casasi in altezone de interiorpoatereduceproblemele de sanatate.
Aerulcuratmiroaseproaspatsi se simte mai putininfundat, lucrucarecreeaza un mediu mai primitor.

https://www.scribd.com/doc/149932119/metode-si-mijloace-de-purificarea-aaerului

Aerul din casa noastra

Structura optim a aerului respirabil trebuie s prezinte o anumit compoziie, umiditate,

temperatur, vitez irat de schimb. Alterarea acestora, cunoscut sub denumirea de poluare,
genereaz un aer impropriu pentru o respiraie sntoas i un confort necorespunztor. Care
sunt ameninrile i ce poate fi fcut? Astzi, ne rspunde un expert n probleme
de construcii, ing. Nicolae Niulescu, de la INCON.

Principala surs de poluare ntr-o locuin o constituie omul i anume prin fumat (al crui
efect duntor, determinat de monoxidul de carbon, formaldehid i toate celelalte chimicale
coninute de igri, a impus msuri restrictive n majoritatea instituiilor), respiraie
(consumatoare de oxigen i generatoare de vapori de ap - cca. 0,5 l/24 h/persoan),
deodorante, praf, acarieni, alergeni sau spori din/prin mbrcminte sau covoare, pregtirea
hranei (produce vapori de ap, mirosuri i consum de oxigen), focuri deschise (care necesit
aer proaspt - cca. 0,5 mc/minut i produce emisii de gaze nearse, monoxid de carbon),
splatul (activitate prin care se majoreaz cantitatea de vapori de ap din atmosfer), folosirea
detergenilor sau a agenilor de curat (ale cror componente volatile se degaj n incint).
Printre msurile care se pot lua pentru diminuarea polurii aerului din interior se pot enumera:
controlul surselor de poluare, cu limitarea funcionrii mergnd pn la eliminarea lor,
utilizarea sistemelor de ventilaie controlat, folosirea epuratoarelor de aer care realizeaz
umidificarea la nivel optim, degresarea, desprfuirea, deodorizarea i nclzirea aerului nainte
de a fi introdus n ncpere.
Diminuarea polurii se poate realiza i respectnd o serie de reguli simple, dar eficiente,
printre care amintim: utilizarea i depozitarea chimicalelor n spaii bine aerisite sau n afara
spaiilor locuite; deschiderea larg i repetat a ferestrelor pe toat durata de folosire; evitarea

folosirii de detergeni sau solveni volatili; evitarea produselor cu un bogat coninut n asbest
sau formaldehid; folosirea cuielor n locul produselor chimice de lipit; folosirea cu precdere
a vopselelor pe baz de ap (atenie la coninutul de mercur al acestora!); evitarea utilizrii
produselor ce pot degaja benzen (favorizeaz apariia cancerului) sau vapori de hidrocarburi.
Nu folosii gazolina ca solvent de curare!; depozitarea detergenilor, pesticidelor i a
insecticidelor n alte zone dect n interior; utilizarea exhaustoarelor punctuale n bi i
buctrii; stingerea focurilor n cazul neutilizrii; evitarea fumatului; eliminarea plantelor din
spaiile pentru dormit.
Atenie la materiale
Poluarea interioar se accen tueaz i prin emanaiile emise de materialele de construcii i
finisaje folosite, de mobila din ncpere, de existena plantelor, a mainilor de copiat
, ct i a eventualelor pesticide sau insecticide depozitate n zon. Plcile de PAL,
ca i o mare parte din materialele de izolaie, conin formaldehid sau rini
formaldehidice, extrem de periculoase sntii. Umiditatea ridicat produce
spori i mucegai, de asemenea generatoare de alergii, disconfort sau boli.

8 plante care purifica aerul din casa

Slaba calitate a aerului din casele noastre este o problema care ne afecteaza sanatatea si
puterea de munca. Lipsa de oxigen ne trimite cu gandul la poluare, fum de tigara si aerisiri
infundate. Atat medicii cat si ecologistii recomanda plantele de apartament datorita calitatilor
purificatoare ale acestora. Iatacaresuntplantelecucea mai mareputere de detoxifiereaaerului, in
aproximativ 24 de ore.
Spathiphyllum - CRINUL
PACII

Infloreste primavara si toamna si ramane in stare de

vegetatie in permanenta.
Iarna are nevoie de multa lumina si o temperatura de
minim 15oC. Daca temperatura scade, se va reduce
frecventa udarilor).
Vara se recomanda pozitionarea intr-o zona semiumbrita
pentru a feri planta de insolatie si arsuri.
Crinulpaciiarenevoie de o atmosferaumedasiudaridese in
perioadacalduroasa.
Clorophytum CRINUL DE CAMERA, voalul miresei,
planta paianjen

Planta originara din Africa de S, America, Asia si este una dintre cele mai raspandite plante de
apartament datorita cerintelor deloc pretentioase de ingrijire.

Vara rezista atat sub razele directe ale soarelui, cat si in

semiumbra. Temperatura ideala de vegetatie este de 20oC.
Iarna va intra intr-o perioada de repaus. Este bine sa fie
pastrata intr-o incapere luminoasa si uscata cu o
temperatura optima de 5oC, maxim 10oC. Se
vorfaceaproximativdouaudari pe luna.
Dracaena DRACENA

Este o planta permanent verde cu crestere rapida. Cerinta principala tine de gradul de
umiditate necesar pentru o dezvoltare corecta. In camerele cu aer uscatse vor pulveriza cu apa
frunzele sau se vor sterge cu un burete umed.
Planta nu suporta aerul uscat, de aceea vara are nevoie de
udari si stropiri zilnice. Temperatura optima pentru
perioada de iarna este de 18oC, minim 10oC.
Se recomanda pozitionarea in
dreptulferestrelororientatecatre E sau V.
Hedera (helix, canariensis)
IEDERA

Plantaobservataadesea pe zidurisi pe fatadelecaselor, iederapoatecrestefoartebinesi in interior.

Poate fi lasatasaatarne din ghivecisau i se poateconstrui un traseu in
incaperecuajutorulrafturilorsuspendate.
Desi iedera este verde tot timpul anului, iarna are nevoie de o perioada de
repaus la o temperatura de 10 - 12oC, udari reduse si lumina moderata.
Vara se va dezvolta mai bine intr-o zona umbrita si racoroasa decat sub
razele soarelui.
Nephrolepis- FERIGA DE
CAMERA

Origini: America Tropicala si Extremul Orient (nephros - rinichi)

Feriga este o planta sensibila la frig si curenti de aer. Are nevoie de foarte multa lumina, insa
in semiumbra, ferita de razele directe ale soarelui. O feriga sanatoasa va fi intotdeauna
colorata in verde crud luminos.

In perioada de vara se recomanda udari dese si pulverizari, mai ales in perioadele calde si
uscate.
Cel mai popular soi este Feriga de Boston; frunzele acesteia pot depasi 1 m lungime.
Monstera - FILODENDRON, Ananasulsaracului

Provine din AmericaCentralasiMexic. Legenda spunecanumele "Monstera" vine din

asociereafrunzelor mari cuaspectulunuimonstru.
Dimensiunile acestei plante o recomanda atat din punct de
vedere decorativ cat si pentru purificarea aerului din orice
incapere. Filodendronul are nevoie de o temperatura
constanta de 22oC.
Primavara - vara necesita foarte multa apa, fiind
recomandate udarile zilnice. Nu suporta aerul rece, excesul
de apa sau o atmosfera prea uscata, insa poate face fata
pentru scurt timp oscilatiilor de temperatura.
FICUSUL

Cu o prezenta impunatoare si spectaculoasa, ficusul este o planta ornamentala extrem de

pretentioasa, ce trebuie tratata cu mult calm si perseverenta. Nici prea mult, nici prea putin,
acesta este mottoul unei dezvoltari armonioase...
Citeste mai multe:
Cum se ingrijescficusii
Cum se planteaza un ficus
Opuntiainermis LIMBA
SOACREI

Cel mai mare avantaj al unui posesor de cactusi este ca nu trebuie sa se ingrijoreze in privinta
udarii. Poti pleca linistit in concediu, deoarece rezervele sale ii vor fi suficiente o buna
perioada. Desi planta nu este deloc costisitoare, ingrijirea sa are la baza cateva reguli simple...

Poluarea aerului
Ce este poluarea?

Poluarea
este fenomenul ce consta in
contaminarea
mediului
cu
materiale
care
degradeazastarea
de
sanatate,
functionarea
ecosistemelor. Poate fi cauzata de eruptiile vulcani ce si
chiar de activitatea omului: casnica, industriala si
agricultura.
Existenta fiecarui om, plante si animal depinde
de aer, fara care nu putem trai.
Poluareaaeruluireprezintaintroducerea
de
produsechimice, de particule, materialebiologice in atmosfera. Atmosfera este
invelisul de aeralPamantului, cecontine: azot, oxigen, argon, bioxid de carbon,
ozon etc. Poluareaaeruluipoatedaunaomuluisimediului. Poluantiipot fi solizi,
lichizisau gazosi.
Poluareaurbanaaerului este cunoscutsubdenumirea de smog. Smogul
este ngeneral un amestec de monoxid de carbonicompuiorganici din
combustiaincomplet a combustibililorfosili cum ar fi crbuniii de dioxid de sulf
de la impuritile din combustibili. ntimpcesmogulreacioneazacuoxigenul,
aciziiorganiciisulfurici se condenseazsubform de picturi, nteindceaa.

Principaliipoluantiprodusi de activitateaoamenilor:

oxizi de sulf
oxizi de azot
monoxid de carbon
dioxid de carbon
amoniac
metaletoxice,cumar fi plumbsicupru

Aparitiaautomobilului a dus la formareaunorcantitatienorme de dioxid de

carbonsiaaltorgaze.
Agriculturadeterminatacumulareaunorcantitati mari de
substantechimiceotravitoare in atmosfera.
Poluareaatmosfereipoate fi sisub forma de fum. Fumul este un amestec de
gazesisubstantechimicale.
Smogulcerezultaare
un
mirosneplacutcecauzeazalacrimarea.
Surseleumanealepoluariiaerului
Surse mobile ceincludautovehicule,

aeronave, navemaritime.

Produsechimice, prafulsifocul.
Fum de la vopsea, spray-uri.
Militare cum ar fi armenucleare, gazetoxice, germeni de razboisirachete.
Surselenaturalealepoluariiaerului

Metan, emis de digestiaanimalelor, bovinele.

Activitateavulcanicaceproducesulf, cenusa, clorsiparticule.
Distrugereapadurilortulbura, la randulsau, echilibrulecologicalatmosferei.
Distrugerea a milioane de m de paduriaredreptconsecintareducereacantitatii de
oxigen, in schimb se acumuleaza mai mult dioxid de carbon.
Gauri in stratul de ozon
Stratul de ozon din stratosfera ne protejeaza retinand razele ultraviolete
ale soarelui. Deoarece in zilele noastre a crescut foarte mult folosirea
hidrocarburilor clorinate, fluorinate in flacoanele cu aerosili, frigidere, detergenti
si polistrioli, aceste gaze au ajuns in aer in cantitati mai mari decat cele care ar
putea fi suportate de atmosfera. Pe masura ce se ridica, se descompun,
formandu-se cloridioni, care ataca si distrug stratul de ozon.
Efectul respectiv a fost semnalat pentru prima oara in anul 1985 de catre
oamenii de stiinta care lucrau in Antartica, in momentul in care au observat
formarea unei gauri in stratul de ozon.
Cercetatorii au fost ingrijorati de faptul ca stratul de ozon s-ar putea rarefia
si in alte parti ale globului, crescand nivelul radiatiilor nocive. Din nefericire, cu
zece ani mai tarziu, in 1995 s-a observat ca si deasupra Arcticii si a Europei de
Nord s-au format gauri in stratul de ozon.
COPII CU ASTM
In 1995 in Marea Britanie dintre copii sub 18 ani fiecare al saptelea a
suferit de astm. Inflamatia alveolelor pulmonare produce dificultati respiratorii si
senzatie de sufocare.
Inca nu este dovedit ca aceasta afectiune este produsa de poluarea
aerului, dar un lucru este sigur: poluarea agraveaza simptomele. Principatii
vinovati sunt gazele de esapament si gazele formate sub efectul radiatiilor solare
din produsele arderii combustibililor.
Siropurile si inhalatiile curative amelioreaza accesele, medicatia preventive
este eficienta, dar cercetarile continua in directia stoparii acestor afectiuni, care a
luat proportii ingrijoratoare.
In zilele noastre atmosfera este in mare pericol si nu mai putem respira aer
curat. Poluarea aerului pune in pericol intregul mediu de viata.

. Increase Ventilation
This advice may seem simple at first, but there is more to improving the ventilation in
your home or office than just opening a window. Outdoor air may still contain pollution
that you dont want in your living spaces. Instead, consider installing trickle vents to
purify and cycle the air you breathe indoors.

2. Natural Air Conditioning

While it may seem like a better option than running your central cooling system in the
summer months, resist the temptation to open all of your windows which will allow
pollutants to enter your living space. Instead, try some of these tips to cool your home
naturally.

Use ceiling fans

Install heat-blocking window treatments

Minimize use of heat-producing appliances

Grow plants for shade

For more information on these tips and more, check out this article.

3. Indoor Air Filters

HEPA filters are an effective way to remove unwanted contaminants from indoor air. For
use in both central air systems and portable air purifiers, HEPA filters should be changed
regularly for maximum health benefits.

4. Eliminate the Source

Excessive moisture, dust build-up, smoking, and the use of chemical products like paint,
detergents, and synthetic fibers are among the most common causes of indoor air
pollution. Try to eliminate as many of these sources from your living spaces as possible
and always be on the lookout for all-natural alternatives to chemical-laden household
items.

5. Beeswax Candles
If you like to burn candles for natural light, avoid paraffin candles which release
petroleum byproducts into the air. Instead, opt for beeswax candles. Beeswax burns
clean and offers the added benefit of ionizing air to neutralize toxic compounds and other
contaminants.
As an added bonus, beeswax candles burn slowly, so you have to replace them less
often. Try some of these candles from Bluecorn Naturals.

6. Salt Lamps
Himalayan pink salt is another natural ionic air purifier that pulls toxins from the
environment and neutralizes them. Add an Himalayan pink salt lamp to any room in your
home or office for both functionality and decoration.
If you dont already own a Himalayan pink salt lamp, you dont know what youre missing!
For more information on the health benefits of HPS lamps, read this article.
Want to try purifying your home air with salt lamps? You can purchase them from this
page on Amazon.

7. Activated Charcoal
Another great way to purify indoor air is with activated charcoal. Also known as active
carbon or simply carbon, activated charcoal is odorless and highly-absorptive. Carbon
air filters can be purchased from many supermarkets and home improvement stores or
from here on Amazon.

8. Houseplants
Plants are Mother Natures air purifiers. Try growing any of these houseplants to filter
toxins from the air in your home or office:

Butterfly Palm (Dypsis lutescens) other names include Areca Palm, Golden

Cane Palm, and Bamboo Palm grows in bright, indirect light (more)

Lady Palm (Rhapis excelsa) also known as the Broadleaf Lady Palm

adaptable, but prefers bright, indirect light (more)

Rubber Tree (Ficus elastica) other names include Rubber Fig, Rubber Bush,

Rubber Plant grows in bright, indirect light and dislikes drafty locations (more)

Cornstalk Dracaena (Dracaena fragrans) also known as the Corn Plant or

simply Cornstalk thrives with a mix of indirect light and shade (more)

Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum) genus of about 40 different species prefers

moderate, indirect sunlight (more)

Chrysanthemum (Dendranthema grandiflora) commonly called Pot Mums

loves bright sun (more)

Golden Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) also called Devils Ivy, Money Plant,

Silver Vine, Centipede Tongavine, frequently mislabeled as Philodendron low or bright

light (more)

English Ivy (Hedera helix) often called Common Ivy, European Ivy, or just simply

Ivy (more)

Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema) over 20 different species shade or indirect

light depending on species (more)

In 1998, NASA discovered that houseplants can absorb harmful toxins

from the air, especially in enclosed spaces with little air flow. This study
has been the basis for newer studies about indoor plants and their air
cleaning abilities. While plants have less horse power than air purifiers,
theyre more natural, cost effective, and therapeutic.
Plants are also known to:

increase mood and productivity

enhance concentration and memory
reduce stress and fatigue
Sick building syndrome
NASA astronauts experience sick building syndrome all the time in their sealed
space stations. Sick building syndrome occurs when people who work or live
inside a building experience symptoms such as:

headaches

nausea

irritation in the eyes, throat, or nose

coughing

dry or itchy skin

inability to focus

allergies

These symptoms usually go away when you leave the building for a certain
amount of time. While the cause is unknown, sick building syndrome is known to
reduce productivity.

NASA recommends two or three plants in 8 to 10-inch pots for every 100
square feet. Some plants are better at removing certain chemicals than
others. Household chemicals come from objects and materials like

Several different processes of varying effectiveness can be used to purify air.

Thermodynamic sterilization (TSS) - This technology uses heat sterilization via a ceramic
core with micro capillaries, which are heated to 200 C (392 F). It is claimed that 99.9% of
microbiological particles - bacteria, viruses, dust mite allergens, mold and fungus spores - are
incinerated.[2] The air passes through the ceramic core by the natural process of air
convection, and is then cooled using heat transfer plates and released. TSS is not a filtering
technology, as it does not trap or remove particles.[3] TSS is claimed not to emit harmful byproducts (although the byproducts of partial thermal decomposition are not addressed) and
also reduces the concentration of ozone in the atmosphere.[4]

Ultraviolet germicidal irradiation - UVGI can be used to sterilize air that passes UV lamps
via forced air. Air purification UVGI systems can be freestanding units with shielded UV lamps
that use a fan to force air past the UV light. Other systems are installed in forced air systems
so that the circulation for the premises moves micro-organisms past the lamps. Key to this
form of sterilization is placement of the UV lamps and a good filtration system to remove the
dead micro-organisms. For example, forced air systems by design impede line-of-sight, thus
creating areas of the environment that will be shaded from the UV light. However, a UV lamp
placed at the coils and drainpan of cooling system will keep micro-organisms from forming in
these naturally damp places. The most effective method for treating the air rather than the
coils is in-line duct systems, these systems are placed in the center of the duct and parallel to
the air flow.

Filter - based purification traps airborne particles by size exclusion. Air is forced through a
filter and particles are physically captured by the filter.
HEPA filters remove at most 99.97% of 0.3-micrometer particles, and are usually more
effective for particles which are larger. HEPA purifiers which filter all the air going into
a clean room must be arranged so that no air bypasses the HEPA filter. In dusty
environments, a HEPA filter may follow an easily cleaned conventional filter (prefilter)
which removes coarser impurities so that the HEPA filter needs cleaning or replacing less

frequently. HEPA filters do not generate ozone or harmful byproducts in course of its
operation.
Filter HVAC at MERV 14 or above are rated to remove airborne particles of 0.3
micrometers or larger. A high efficiency MERV 14 filter has a capture rate of at least 75%
for particles between 0.3 to 1.0 micrometers. Although the capture rate of a MERV filter is
lower than that of a HEPA filter, a central air system can move significantly more air in the
same period of time. Using a high-grade MERV filter can be more effective than using a
high-powered HEPA machine at a fraction of the initial capital expenditure. Unfortunately,
most furnace filters are slid in place without an airtight seal, which allows air to pass
around the filters. This problem is worse for the higher-efficiency MERV filters because of
the increase in air resistance. Higher-efficiency MERV filters are usually denser and
increase air resistance in the central system, requiring a greater air pressure drop and
consequently increasing energy costs.

Activated carbon is a porous material that can adsorb volatile chemicals on a

molecular basis, but does not remove larger particles. The adsorption process when
using activated carbon must reach equilibrium thus it may be difficult to completely
remove contaminants.[5]Activated carbon is merely a process of changing
contaminants from a gaseous phase to a solid phase, when aggravated or disturbed
contaminants can be regenerated in indoor air sources.[6] Activated carbon can be
used at room temperature and has a long history of commercial use. It is normally
used in conjunction with other filter technology, especially with HEPA. Other materials
can also absorb chemicals, but at higher cost.

Polarized-media electronic air cleaners use active electronically enhanced media to

combine elements of both electronic air cleaners and passive mechanical filters.
Most polarized-media electronic air cleaners convert 24-volt current to safe DC
voltage to establish the polarized electric field. Airborne particles become polarized
as they pass through the electric field and adhere to a disposable fiber media pad.
Ultra-fine particles (UFPs) that are not collected on their initial pass through the
media pad are polarized and agglomerate to other particles, odor and VOC
molecules and are collected on subsequent passes. The efficiency of polarizedmedia electronic air cleaners increases as they load, providing high-efficiency
filtration, with air resistance typically equal to or less than passive filters. Polarizedmedia technology is non-ionizing, which means no ozone is produced.

Photocatalytic oxidation (PCO) is an emerging technology in the HVAC industry.[7] In

addition to the prospect of Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) benefits, it has the added potential
for limiting the introduction of unconditioned air to the building space, thereby
presenting an opportunity to achieve energy savings over previous prescriptive
designs. As of May 2009[8][9] there was no more disputable concern raised by the
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory data that PCO may significantly increase the

amount of formaldehyde in real indoor environments.[10]As with other advanced

technologies, sound engineering principles and practices should be employed by the
HVAC designer to ensure proper application of the
technology. Photocatalytic oxidation systems are able to completely oxidize and
degrade organic contaminants. For example, Volatile Organic Compounds found low
concentrations within a few hundred ppmv or less are the most likely to be
completely oxidized.[5](PCO) uses short-wave ultraviolet light (UVC), commonly used
for sterilization, to energize the catalyst (usually titanium dioxide (TiO2) [11]) and
oxidize bacteria and viruses.[12] PCO in-duct units can be mounted to an existing
forced-air HVAC system. PCO is not a filtering technology, as it does not trap or
remove particles. It is sometimes coupled with other filtering technologies for air
purification. UV sterilization bulbs must be replaced about once a year;
manufacturers may require periodic replacement as a condition of warranty.
Photocatalytic Oxidation systems often have high commercial costs.[5]
A related technology relevant to air purification is photoelectrochemical oxidation
(PECO) Photoelectrochemical oxidation. While technically a type of PCO, PECO involves
electrochemical interactions among the catalyst material and reactive species (e.g.,
through emplacement of cathodic materials) to improve quantum efficiency; in this way, it
is possible to use lower energy UVA radiation as the light source and yet achieve
improved effectiveness.[13]

Ionizer purifiers use charged electrical surfaces or needles to generate

electrically charged air or gas ions. These ions attach to airborne particles which
are then electrostatically attracted to a charged collector plate. This mechanism
produces trace amounts of ozone and other oxidants as by-products.[1] Most
ionizers produce less than 0.05 ppm of ozone, an industrial safety standard.
There are two major subdivisions: the fanless ionizer and fan-based ionizer.
Fanless ionizers are noiseless and use little power, but are less efficient at air
purification. Fan-based ionizers clean and distribute air much faster. Permanently
mounted home and industrial ionizer purifiers are calledelectrostatic
precipitators.

Immobilized cell technology removes microfine particulate matter from the air by
attracting charged particulates to a bio-reactive mass, or bioreactor, which
enzymatically renders them inert.

Ozone generators are designed to produce ozone, and are sometimes sold as
whole house air cleaners. Unlike ionizers, ozone generators are intended to
produce significant amounts of ozone, a strong oxidant gas which can oxidize
many other chemicals. The only safe use of ozone generators is in unoccupied
rooms, utilising "shock treatment" commercial ozone generators that produce
over 3000 mg of ozone per hour. Restoration contractors use these types of

ozone generators to remove smoke odors after fire damage, musty smells after
flooding,mold (including toxic molds), and the stench caused by decaying flesh
which cannot be removed by bleach or anything else except for ozone. However,
it is not healthy to breathe ozone gas, and one should use extreme caution when
buying a room air purifier that also produces ozone. [14]

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) technology - nanoparticles of TiO2, together with calcium

carbonate to neutralize any acidic gasses that may be adsorbed, is mixed into
slightly porous paint. Photocatalysis initiates the decomposition of airborne
contaminants at the surface.[15]

Other aspects of air cleaners are hazardous gaseous by-products, noise level, frequency of filter
replacement, electrical consumption, and visual appeal. Ozone production is typical for air
ionizing purifiers. Although high concentration of ozone is dangerous, most air ionizers produce
low amounts (<0.05> ppm). The noise level of a purifier can be obtained through a customer
service department and is usually reported in decibels(dB). The noise levels for most purifiers are
low compared to many other home appliances.[citation needed] Frequency of filter replacement and
electrical consumption are the major operation costs for any purifier. There are many types of
filters; some can be cleaned by water, by hand or by vacuum cleaner, while others need to be
replaced every few months or years. In the United States, some purifiers are certified as Energy
Starand are energy efficient.
HEPA technology is used in portable air purifiers as it removes common airborne allergens.
The US Department of Energy has requirements manufacturers must pass to meet HEPA
requirements. The HEPA specification requires removal of at least 99.97% of 0.3 micrometers
airborne pollutants. Products that claim to be "HEPA-type", "HEPA-like", or "99% HEPA" do not
satisfy these requirements and may not have been tested in independent laboratories.
Air purifiers may be rated on: CADR(Clean Air Delivery Rate); efficient area coverage; air
changes per hour; the clean air delivery rate, which determines how well air has been purified;
energy usage; and the cost of the replacement filters. Two other important factors to consider are
the length that the filters are expected to last (measured in months or years) and the noise
produced (measured in decibels) by the various settings that the purifier runs on. This information
is available from most manufacturers.